THE thought that wine and not ale is now the top tipple for two-thirds of the population has stuck in the throats of the beer-loving Diary team for some time.

What we find easier to swallow though is that, according to wine maker Hardy's, the British still don't know a great deal when it comes to wine production.

Their research suggests that traditional wine terminology is baffling consumers, with ten per cent of people thinking that a sommelier is a female pig farmer. Almost half of Brits also confess to a lack of confidence when choosing wines in a bar or restaurant.

So while you are mulling over whether you should rush out and sign up to a wine-tasting class, here are some of the statistics for you to savour:

* The North of England has the most wine experts, even though 16 per cent of people in Leeds think that a sommelier is a French perfumer.

* 15 per cent of people in Newcastle think that sodium crystals are added to wine to make it sparkle.

* One in five people in Bristol believe rose is made by mixing red and white wine.